Methods and systems for notification of call to device

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for providing a call notification, voice mail message notification, or SMS message for a wireless device to a user&#39;s preferred device. When a wireless device receives an incoming call, a voice mail message, or a SMS message, the wireless device connects to a network and sends a notification to the user&#39;s preferred device. If the preferred device is not available, the notification is stored in a database.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicants claim the right to priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) based onProvisional Patent Application No. 60/428,704, entitled “DIGITALCOMPANION,” filed Nov. 25, 2002; and Provisional Patent Application No.60/436,018, entitled “DIGITAL COMPANION,” filed Dec. 26, 2002, both ofwhich are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present application also relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/083,792, entitled “VOICE MAIL INTEGRATION WITH INSTANT MESSENGER,”filed Feb. 27, 2002, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/083,884,entitled “DEVICE INDEPENDENT CALLER ID,” filed Feb. 27, 2002, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/083,822, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR A UNIFIED COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT VIA INSTANT MESSAGING,” filedFeb. 27, 2002, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/083,793, entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALENDARED COMMUNICATIONS FLOW CONTROL,” filedFeb. 27, 2002, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/084,121, entitled“CALENDAR-BASED CALLING AGENTS,” filed Feb. 27, 2002, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/084,121, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DRAGAND DROP CONFERENCE CALLING,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/720,661, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFERENCE CALLBUFFERING,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/720,859, entitled“METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMPUTER ENHANCED CONFERENCE CALLING,” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/721,009, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMSFOR REMOTE CALL ESTABLISHMENT,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/720,943, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CALL MANAGEMENT WITH USERINTERVENTION,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/721,005, entitled“METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DIRECTORY INFORMATION LOOKUP,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/720,868, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORAUTOMATICALLY FORWARDING CALLS TO CELL PHONE,” U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/720,970, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADAPTIVE MESSAGEAND CALL NOTIFICATION,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/720,952,entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A CALL LOG,” U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/720,870, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATICFORWARDING OF CALLS TO A PREFERRED DEVICE,” U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/720,663, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-LINE INTEGRATEDDEVICE OR LINE MANAGEMENT,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/720,971,entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTACT MANAGEMENT,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/720,784, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORSINGLE NUMBER TEXT MESSAGING,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/720,825, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-USER SELECTIVENOTIFICATION,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/720,944, entitled“METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CPN TRIGGERED COLLABORATION,” and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/720,933, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORPREEMPTIVE REJECTION OF CALLS,” all of which are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing auser of a wireless handset with a notification of incoming calls, voicemail messages, and SMS messages for devices other than the user'swireless handset.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of means exist for communication between users. Forexample, a user may conduct phone calls via a home phone, work phone,and mobile phone. In addition, users may also communicate using devicessuch as PC's, PDA's, pagers, etc. using manners of communicating asemail and instant messaging.

Unfortunately, managing such a wide variety of communication means canbe difficult. In particular, as a user changes location, communicationwith the user may vary. For example, while on travel, it may only bepossible to reach a user by mobile phone. However, the user may best bereached by email while at work. Also, the user may wish to implementvarious rules for receiving and controlling communications. For example,to be reached at home, the user may want the home phone to ring threetimes before forwarding the call to a mobile phone. As another example,the user may wish to be paged each time an email is received from aparticular person while away from the office.

Typically, to implement communication management, a person mustindividually manage each communication device separately. Thus, when theuser wishes to change how communication is managed, the user may have todeal with numerous devices and, perhaps, service centers.

For example, previous notification systems, such as pager notificationfrom a voice mail server, require a calling party attempting to contacta user to send a message to a specific pager device. However, if thecalling party instead dials the user's home phone number, the callingparty might leave a voice mail message on a voice mail system for adevice currently inaccessible to the user. As a result, the user wouldnot receive the voice mail message until a later time.

To keep apprised of communications, the user may dial into a voice mailsystem using an available device to check for messages or missed callson unavailable devices. For example, if the user is away from the homeor office, the user may have a cell phone for calling a work or homevoice mail system to check for messages and missed calls. However, suchan approach requires the user to dial into these voice mail systemsperiodically to check for messages and missed calls. As a result, theuser may learn of missed calls and messages after a significant passageof time. Alternatively, the user may spend time unnecessarily to checkvoice mail systems for nonexistent messages.

Therefore, there is a need for a method and system for providing auser's preferred device with a notification of a call, voice mailmessage, or SMS message for a device other than the user's preferreddevice. Accordingly, the user may receive timely notifications ofincoming calls, voice mail messages, and SMS messages regardless of theuser's location.

SUMMARY

Consistent with the present invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, methods and systems provide a user of a wireless device withnotifications of incoming calls, voice mail messages, and SMS messagesfor devices other than the user's wireless device.

An embodiment consistent with the principles of the present inventionprovides a method for providing a notification to a preferredcommunication device of a user, the user having a plurality ofcommunication devices each having a communication channel. Informationis received on a communication device, the information indicatingincoming data for the communication device. A notification is receivedfrom the communication device at a server. And a notification istransmitted to the user's preferred device, the notification includingan identification of the type of the incoming data.

An embodiment consistent with the principles of the present inventionprovides an apparatus for providing a notification to a preferredcommunication device of a user, the user having a plurality ofcommunication devices each having a communication channel. Acommunication device receives information indicating incoming data toone of a plurality of devices of the user, the data being in the form ofone of a plurality of data types. A server receives a notification fromthe communication device and transmits the notification to the user'spreferred device, the notification including an identification of thetype of the incoming data.

An embodiment consistent with the principles of the present inventionprovides a method for providing a notification to a preferredcommunication device of a user, the user having a plurality ofcommunication devices each having a communication channel. Informationis received on a communication device from a calling party calling oneof the plurality of devices. A notification is generated correspondingto the received information. And the notification is transmitted fromthe communication device to the preferred device to display a real-timenotification.

An embodiment consistent with the principles of the present inventionprovides an apparatus for providing a notification to a preferredcommunication device of a user, the user having a plurality ofcommunication devices each having a communication channel. The apparatusincludes a communication device for receiving or generating data, theinformation being in the form of one of a plurality of data types, and aserver for receiving the data from the communication device and fortransmitting the data to the user's preferred device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one embodiment consistent withthe invention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary data processing andtelecommunications environment in which features and aspects consistentwith the principals of the present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary user terminal, consistent with theprincipals of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a voice network, consistent with the principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a service center, consistent with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a logical architecture of an exemplary system,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary data structure used for providing calleridentification information, in accordance with methods and apparatusconsistent with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an overview of event notification for apreferred device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Consistent with the present invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, methods and systems provide a user with notifications ofincoming calls, voice mail messages, and SMS messages for a wirelessdevice on the user's preferred device.

For example, the present invention may be implemented for use withwireless devices or handsets equipped with Qualcomm's Binary RuntimeEnvironment for Wireless (BREW). BREW is a software development platformby Qualcomm and is available on certain wireless devices. Devicesenabled with BREW allow developers to create software that will run onthese wireless devices. In addition to the BREW platform, othersoftware-enabled devices may be used to implement the present invention.Other software platforms available for wireless phones, for example,include Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) from Sun Microsystems, Inc., whichis available on phones from Motorola, LG, Nokia, and othermanufacturers, and Microsoft SmartPhone 2002, which is available onphones from Samsung and other manufacturers.

Consistent with the principles of the present invention, capabilities ofa phone software platform are used for sending notifications of incomingcalls, incoming voice mail messages, and incoming SMS messages to adigital companion server. The digital companion server may then providea remote view of the activity on a user's preferred device.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing and telecommunicationsenvironment 100, in which features and aspects consistent with thepresent invention may be implemented. The number of components inenvironment 100 is not limited to what is shown and other variations inthe number of arrangements of components are possible, consistent withembodiments of the invention. The components of FIG. 1 may beimplemented through hardware, software, and/or firmware. Data processingand telecommunications environment 100 may include a data network 102, avoice network 104, and a service center 106. A user 110 may use a userterminal 112 to interface with data network 102 and may use phones 114,116, and 118 to interface with voice network 104. A calling party 120may use phone 122 to call a user, such as user 110, at any one of phones114, 116, and 118.

Data network 102 provides communications between the various entitiesdepicted in environment 100 of FIG. 1, such as user terminal 112 andservice center 106. Data network 102 may be a shared, public, or privatenetwork and encompass a wide area or local area. Data network 102 may beimplemented through any suitable combination of wired and/or wirelesscommunication networks. By way of example, data network 102 may beimplemented through a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN),an intranet and/or the Internet. Further, the service center 106 may beconnected to multiple data networks 102, such as, for example, to awireless carrier network and to the Internet.

Voice network 104 may provide telephony services to allow a callingparty, such as calling party 120, to place a telephone call to user 110.In one embodiment, voice network 104 may be implemented using a network,such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”). Alternatively,voice network 104 may be implemented using voice-over Internet Protocol(“VoIP”) technology. In addition, voice network 104 may be implementedusing both PSTN and VoIP technology consistent with the principles ofthe present invention. Further, service center 106 may be connected tomultiple voice networks 104, such as for example, Verizon's™ VoiceNetwork, voice networks operated by other carriers, and wireless carriernetworks.

Service center 106 provides a platform for managing communications overdata network 102 and voice network 104. Service center 106 also providesgateway functions, such as code and protocol conversions, to transfercommunications between data network 102 and voice network 104. Servicecenter 106 may be implemented using a combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware. For example, service center 106 may be implementedusing a plurality of general purpose computers or servers coupled by anetwork (not shown). Although service center 106 is shown with directconnections to data network 102 and voice network 104, any number andtype of network elements may be interposed between service center 106,data network 102, and voice network 104.

User terminal 112 provides an interface to data network 102 for user110. For example, user terminal 112 may be implemented using any devicecapable of accessing the Internet, such as a general purpose computer orpersonal computer equipped with a modem. User terminal 112 may also beimplemented in other devices, such as the Blackberry™, and Ergo Audrey™.Furthermore, user terminal 112 may be implemented in wireless devices,such as pagers, mobile phones (with data access functions), and PersonalDigital Assistants (“PDA”) with network connections.

User terminal 112 also allows user 110 to communicate with servicecenter 106. For example, user 110 may use instant messaging (“IM”) tocommunicate with service center 106. In addition, user terminal 112 mayuse other aspects of TCP/IP including the hypertext transfer protocol(“HTTP”); the user datagram protocol (“UDP”); the file transfer protocol(“FTP”); the hypertext markup language (“HTML”); and the extensiblemarkup language (“XML”).

Furthermore, user terminal 112 may communicate directly with servicecenter 106. For example, a client application may be installed on userterminal 112, which directly communicates with service center 106. Also,user terminal 112 may communicate with service center 106 via a proxy.

Phones 114, 116, 118, and 122 interface with voice network 104. Phones114, 116, 118, and 122 may be implemented using known devices, includingwireline phones and mobile phones. Although phones 114, 116, 118, and122 are shown directly connected to voice network 104, any number ofintervening elements, such as a private branch exchange (“PBX”), may beinterposed between phones 114, 116, 118, and 122 and voice network 104.One or more of phones 114, 116, 118, and 112 may be associated with user110. For example, phone 114 may be a home phone billed to user 110,phone 116 may be a mobile phone billed to user 110, and phone 118 may bea home phone billed to a friend of user 110. Phones 114 and 116 may bebilled to the same or different accounts of user 110, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user terminal consistent with the presentinvention. User terminal 112 includes a central processing unit (CPU)200, a memory 202, a storage module 204, a network interface 206, aninput interface 208, an output interface 210, an input device 212, andan output device 214.

CPU 200 provides control and processing functions for user terminal 112.Although FIG. 2 illustrates a single CPU, user terminal 112 may includemultiple CPUs. CPU 200 may also include, for example, one or more of thefollowing: a co-processor, memory, registers, and other processingdevices and systems as appropriate. CPU 200 may be implemented, forexample, using a Pentium™ processor provided from Intel Corporation.

Memory 202 provides a primary memory for CPU 200, such as for programcode. Memory 202 may be embodied with a variety of components ofsubsystems, including a random access memory (“RAM”) and a read-onlymemory (“ROM”). When user terminal 112 executes an application installedin storage module 204, CPU 200 may download at least a portion of theprogram code from storage module 204 into memory 202. As CPU 200executes the program code, CPU 200 may also retrieve additional portionsof program code from storage module 204.

Storage module 204 may provide mass storage for user terminal 112.Storage module 204 may be implemented with a variety of components orsubsystems including, for example, a hard drive, an optical drive, CDROM drive, DVD drive, a general-purpose storage device, a removablestorage device, and/or other devices capable of storing information.Further, although storage module 204 is shown within user terminal 112,storage module 204 may be implemented external to user terminal 112.

Storage module 204 includes program code and information for userterminal 112 to communicate with service center 106. Storage module 204may include, for example, program code for a calendar application, suchas GroupWise provided by Novell Corporation or Outlook provided byMicrosoft Corporation; a client application, such as a Microsoft NetworkMessenger Service (MSNMS) client or America Online Instant Messenger(AIM) client; and an Operating System (OS), such as the WindowsOperation System provided by Microsoft Corporation. In addition, storagemodule 204 may include other program code and information, such asprogram code for TCP/IP communications; kernel and device drivers;configuration information, such as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP) configuration; a web browser, such as Internet Explorer providedby Microsoft Corporation, or Netscape Communicator provided by NetscapeCorporation; and any other software that may be installed on userterminal 112.

Network interface 206 provides a communications interface between userterminal 112 and data network 102. Network interface 206 may receive andtransmit communications for user terminal 112. For example, networkinterface 206 may be a modem, or a local area network (“LAN”) port.

Input interface 208 receives input from user 110 via input device 212and provides the input to CPU 200. Input device 212 may include, forexample, a keyboard, a microphone, and a mouse. Other types of inputdevices may also be implemented consistent with the principles of thepresent invention.

Output interface 210 provides information to user 110 via output device214. Output device 214 may include, for example, a display, a printer,and a speaker. Other types of output devices may also be implementedconsistent with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of voice network 104, consistent withthe principles of the present invention. As shown, voice network 104includes an intelligent service control point (ISCP) 302, servicetransfer points (STP) 304 and 306, service switching points (SSP) 308and 310, a line information database (LIDB) 312, an ISCP ServiceProvisioning And Creation Environment (SPACE) 314, a Recent ChangeEnvironment 316, and an Intelligent Peripheral (IP) 320.

Voice network 104 may be implemented using the PSTN and SS7 as asignaling protocol. The SS7 protocol allows voice network 104 to providefeatures, such as call forwarding, caller-ID, three-way calling,wireless services such as roaming and mobile subscriber authentication,local number portability, and toll-free/toll services. The SS7 protocolprovides various types of messages to support the features of voicenetwork 104. For example, these SS7 messages may include TransactionCapabilities Applications Part (“TCAP”) messages to support event“triggers,” and queries and responses between ISCP 302 and SSPs 308 and310.

ISCP 302 may also be, for example, a standard service control point(SCP) or an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) SCP. ISCP 302 providestranslation and routing services of SS7 messages to support the featuresof voice network 104, such as call forwarding. In addition, ISCP 302 mayexchange information with the service center 106 using TCP/IP or SS7.ISCP 302 may be implemented using a combination of known hardware andsoftware. Although ISCP 302 is shown with a direct connection to servicecenter 106 through ISCP SPACE 314, any number of network elementsincluding routers, switches, hubs, etc., may be used to connect ISCP 302and service center 106.

STPs 304 and 306 relay SS7 messages within voice network 104. Forexample, STP 304 may route SS7 messages between SSPs 308 and 310. STP302 may be implemented using known hardware and software frommanufacturers such as NORTEL™ and LUCENT Technologies™.

SSPs 308 and 310 provide an interface between voice network 104 andphones 114 and 120, respectively, to setup, manage, and releasetelephone calls within voice network 104. SSPs 308 and 310 may beimplemented as a voice switch, an SS7 switch, or a computer connected toa switch. SSPs 308 and 310 exchange SS7 signal units to support atelephone call between calling party 120 and user 110. For example, SSPs308 and 310 may exchange SS7 messages, such as TCAP messages, withinmessage signal units (“MSU”) to control calls, perform database queriesto configuration database 312, and provide maintenance information.

Line Information Database (LIDB) 312 comprises one or more knowndatabases to support the features of voice network 104. For example,LIDB 312 may include subscriber information, such as a service profile,name and address, and credit card validation information.

ISCP Service Provisioning and Creation Environment (SPACE) 314 may beincluded as part of ISCP 302 or be separate from ISCP 302. For example,a Telcordia™ ISCP may provide the functions of SPACE 314 as part ofsystem 100. Further, ISCP SPACE 314 may include one or more servers.ISCP SPACE 314 is the point in the ISCP platform where user recordupdates may be made.

In one embodiment, user records may be stored in ISCP SPACE 314 suchthat the records may be updated and sent to ISCP 302. These records mayinclude information regarding how to handle calls directed to the user.For example, these user records may include information regardingwhether or not calls for the user are to be forwarded to a differentnumber, and/or whether or not the call should be directed to an IP, suchas a voice mail system, after a certain number of rings. Additionally,one ISCP SPACE 314 may provide updates to one or more ISCPs 302 via anISCP network (not shown).

Additionally, the voice network 104 may include one or more recentchange engines 316 such as, for example, an Enterprise Recent Changeengine (eRC); an Assignment, Activation, and Inventory System (MIS); ora multi-services platform (MSP). As an example, the eRC and AAIS may beused in voice networks 104 located in the western part of the UnitedStates, while an MSP may be used in networks in the eastern part. Therecent change engines may be used to update switch and ISCP databases.For example, a recent change engine may deliver database updates to SSPsand to ISCPs, such that when updating databases, these recent changeengines emulate human operators. Additionally, if the instructions areto be sent to an ISCP 302, the recent change engine may first send theinstructions to ISCP SPACE 314, which then propagates the instructionsto ISCP 302 as discussed above. Further, an MSP may be used, forexample, for providing updates to both SSPs 308 or 310 and the ISCPs302. Alternatively, an eRC may be used, for example, to provide updatesto the SSPs 308 or 310, while an AAIS is used for providing updates tothe ISCPs 302.

Additionally, voice network 104 may include one or more intelligentperipherals (IP). Referring to FIG. 4, an IP 320 is illustrated as beingconnected to SSP 308. These IPs may be used for providing services, suchas voice mail services.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of service center 106, consistent with theprinciples of the present invention. As shown, service center 106 mayinclude firewalls 402 and 404, one or more digital companion servers406, one or more communication portal servers 408, one or more networkaccess servers 410, and a voice portal 412. Voice portal 412 may includea voice portal application server 414 and a voice recognition server416. A network 418 may be used to interconnect the firewalls andservers. Additionally, back end server(s) 420 may be provided betweenthe service center 106 and voice network 104.

Firewalls 402 and 404 provide security services for communicationsbetween service center 106, data network 102, and voice network 104,respectively. For example, firewalls 402 and 404 may restrictcommunications between user terminal 112 and one or more servers withinservice center 106. Any appropriate security policy may be implementedin firewalls 402 and 404 consistent with the principles of the presentinvention. For example, firewalls 402 and 404 may be implemented using acombination of known hardware and software, such as the Raptor Firewallprovided by the Axent Corporation. Further, firewalls 402 and 404 may beimplemented as separate machines within service center 106, orimplemented on one or more machines external to service center 106.

Network 418 may be any appropriate type of network, such as an Ethernetor FDDI network. Additionally, network 418 may also include switches androuters, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of theinvention. Further, additional firewalls may be present in network 418,for example, to place one or more of servers 406, 408, 410, or voiceportal 412 behind additional firewalls.

Each server (406, 408, 410, 414, 416, 420) may be any type ofappropriate server or computer, such as a Unix or DOS based server orcomputer. The servers may implement various logical functions, such asthose described below. In FIG. 4, a different server is illustrated asbeing used for each logical function. In other embodiments, the logicalfunctions may be split across multiple servers, multiple servers may beused to implement a single function, all functions may be performed by asingle server, etc.

In general, a digital companion server 406 may provide the software andhardware for providing specific services of service center 106.Exemplary services include, for example, permitting a user 110 to addcontacts to an address book from a history of calls made or received byuser 110, permitting a user 110 to make calls from numbers retrievedfrom their address book, scheduling a call to be placed at a specifictime, or permitting the user 110 to access and view a name and/oraddress associated with a phone number. Additionally, these services mayinclude permitting the user 110 to listen to voice mail messages on-lineover the Internet, forward their calls based on a scheduler and/or thecalling parties number, setting up conference calls on-line, etc.Particularly, the user may receive a notification of incoming calls,voice mail messages, and SMS messages for devices 114-122 other than theuser's home phone 112.

A communication portal server 408 may provide the hardware and softwarefor managing a user's account and interfacing with user accountinformation stored by the provider of user's voice network 104. Networkaccess servers 410 may provide the hardware and software for sending andreceiving information to voice network 104 in processing theapplications provided by the service center. For example, network accessservers 410 may be used for transmitting and/or receiving informationfrom/to an ISCP 302 or an SSP 308 or 310 of voice network 104.

Voice portal 412 includes software and hardware for receiving andprocessing instructions from a user via voice. For example, a user maydial a specific number to directly access voice portal 412. Then theuser, using speech, may provide instructions for service center 106 tomodify the services to which the user subscribes. Voice portal 412 mayinclude, for example, a voice recognition server 416 and an applicationserver 414. Voice recognition server 416 may receive and interpretdictation, or recognize spoken commands. Application server 414 maytake, for example, the output from voice recognition server 416, convertit to a format suitable for service center 106 and forward theinformation to one or more servers (406, 408, 410) in service center106.

FIG. 5 illustrates a logical architecture of an exemplary system,consistent with the present invention. As illustrated, the logicalarchitecture may be split into four sections, or planes: client side502, application service 504, network access 506, and voice plane 508.

Client side 502 includes user terminals 112_A and 112_B that a user mayuse to send and/or receive information to/from service center 106.Additionally, client side 502 includes user's phone(s) 114. As discussedabove, user terminals 112 may be any type of appropriate device a usermay use for communicating with Service Center 106. For example, userterminal 112_A may be a PDA running a program for communicating withService Center 106, while user terminal 112_B may be a desktop typecomputer running a web browser for communicating with Service Center 106via the Internet. Additionally, the user may have one or more phones114, such as, for example, one or more standard landline telephonesand/or wireless phones.

Application service plane 504 includes digital companion server(s) 406,communication portal server(s) 408, and voice portal 412. These entitiesmay communicate between one another using, for example, web services orany other suitable protocols. Web services are a standardized way ofintegrating Web-based applications using the Extensible Markup Language(XML), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services DescriptionLanguage (WSDL) and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration(UDDI) open standards over an Internet protocol (IP) backbone.

As illustrated, digital companion server 406 may provide the followingfunctions: a client proxy function 512, a web server function 514, anapplication server function 516, a calendar server function 518, anotification server function 520, and a database server function 522.Each of these functions may be performed in hardware, software, and/orfirmware. Further, these functions may each be executed by a separateserver, split across multiple servers, included on the same serverfunctions, or any other manner.

Client proxy function 512 provides a proxy function for the digitalcompanion that may be used for security purposes. This client proxyfunction 512 may be included in a separate server such that allcommunications sent from the other digital companion functions/serversto a user terminal 112 via data network 102 go through client proxy 512.Also, if client proxy 512 is included on a separate server, for example,an additional firewall may be provided between client proxy 512 and theother digital companion servers to provide additional security.

Web server 514 provides functionality for receiving traffic over datanetwork 102 (FIG. 1) from a user. For example, web server 514 may be astandard web server that a user may access using a web browser program,such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator.

Application server function 516 encompasses the general functionsperformed by digital companion server(s) 406. For example, thesefunctions may include interfacing with the various other digitalcompanion functions to perform specific applications provided by theservice center. These services may include, for example, interfacingwith other function(s), software, and/or hardware to provide a user withthe capability of managing their calls online. For example, permitting auser to add contacts to their address book from a history of calls madeor received by the user, permitting a user to make calls directly fromtheir address book, scheduling a call to be placed at a specific time,or permitting the user to look at the name and/or address associatedwith a phone number. Additionally, these services may include permittingthe user to listen to their voice mail messages on-line, forwardingtheir calls based on a scheduler and/or the calling parties number,setting up conference calls on-line, etc.

Consistent with the present invention, a call notification serviceprovides a user with a notification of an incoming call for one of aplurality of the user's devices on the user's preferred device. Also,consistent with the present invention, a voice mail notification serviceprovides a user with a notification of a voice mail message for one of aplurality of the user's devices on the user's preferred device.

Additionally, application server function 516 may interface with one ormore external devices, such as an external web server, for retrieving orsending information. For example, application server function 516 mayinterface with a voice network's data center 556 (e.g., verizon.com) todetermine the services to which the user subscribes (e.g., call waiting,call forwarding, voice mail, etc.).

Calendar server function 518 may provide the capability of schedulingevents, logging when certain events occurred, triggering theapplication-functions to perform a function at a particular time, etc.

Notification server function 520 provides the capability to sendinformation from service center 106 to a user terminal 112. For example,notification server function 520 at the direction of application serverfunction 516 may send a notification to user terminal 112 that the useris presently receiving a phone call at user's phone 114.

Database function 522 stores information, in the form of databases,useable by the various applications executed by the digital companionservers. These databases may be included in, for example, one or moreexternal storage devices connected to the digital companion servers.Alternatively, the databases may be included in storage devices withinthe digital companion servers themselves. The storage devices providingdatabase function 522 may be any type of storage device, such as forexample, CD-ROMs, DVD's, disk drives, magnetic tape, etc.

As discussed above, communication portal server(s) 408 provide thehardware and software for managing a user's account and interfacing withuser account information stored by the provider of user's voice network104. As illustrated in FIG. 5, communication portal server 408 mayprovide the following functions: a web server function 526, anapplication server function 528, a contacts database function 530,and/or a user profile function 532. Each of these functions may beperformed by a separate server, split across multiple servers, includedon the same server functions, or any other manner.

Web server function 526, as with web server function 514 of the digitalcompanion servers, provides functionality for receiving traffic overdata network 102 from a user. For example, the web server may be astandard web server that a user may access using a web browser, such asInternet Explorer or Netscape Communicator.

Application server function 528 encompasses the general functionsperformed by communication portal servers 408. For example, thesefunctions may include interfacing with the voice network to retrieveand/or modify user profile information, and creating and editing anaddress book for the user. Additionally, application server function 528may include the functionality of sending and/or receiving informationto/from external servers and/or devices. For example, communicationportal servers 408 may be connected to a network, such as, the Internet.Application server function 528 may then provide connectivity over theInternet to external servers 552 that provide web services, such as theSuperpages webpage. Application function 528 may then contact theseexternal services 552 to retrieve information, such as an address for aperson in the user's address book.

In another example, application server function 528 of communicationportal 408 may interface a single sign on (SSO) server 554. SSO 554 maybe used to allow users to access all services to which the usersubscribes, on the basis of a single authentication that is performedwhen they initially access the network.

Contacts database 530 includes storage devices for storing data formingan address book for the user. This address book may be any appropriatetype of address book. For example, the user's address book may includethe names, phone numbers, and addresses of people and/or organizations.These storage devices may be internal or external to communicationportal servers 406 or some combination in between. In addition, thesestorage devices may be any type of storage device, such as magneticstorage, memory storage, etc.

User profile database 532 includes storage devices for storing userprofile information for the user. These storage devices may be the sameor separate storage devices used for the contacts database. The userprofile may include information regarding the user's account for theirvoice network. For example, this information may include the user'sname, billing address, and other account information. Additionally, theuser profile may include information regarding voice services to whichthe user subscribes, such as, for example, call waiting, voice mailmessages, etc. Using these services, the user may receive notificationsof incoming calls, voice mail messages, and SMS messages for devicesother than the user's wireless handset.

Additionally, application services plane 504 of the architecture mayinclude voice portal 412. As discussed above, voice portal 412 mayinclude, for example, a voice recognition function 416 and anapplication server function 414, and be used for receiving andprocessing instructions from a user via voice. The voice recognitionfunction may be implemented using hardware and/or software capable ofproviding voice recognition capabilities. This hardware and/or softwaremay be a commercially available product, such as the Voice Applicationplatform available from Tellme Networks, Incorporated. Applicationserver function 414 of voice portal 412 may include hardware and/orsoftware for exchanging information between digital companion servers406 and voice recognition function 416. Additionally, application serverfunction 414 may be included on a separate server, included in thehardware and software providing voice recognition function 416, includedin digital companion servers 406, etc.

Network Access plane 506 of the architecture includes the functions forproviding connectivity between application service plane 502 and voicenetwork 104. For example, this plane may include recent change engines316, network access servers 410, and/or back end servers 420.

As discussed above, recent change engines 316 may be used to updateswitches and ISCP databases included in the voice network 104. In oneembodiment, recent change engines 316 may include an AAIS 544, an eRC546, and/or an MSP 548. Additionally, a proxy 542 may be used betweendigital companion servers 406 and recent change engines 542 for securitypurposes.

Network access servers 410 may be included in the service center 106 andmay provide the hardware and software for sending and receivinginformation to the voice network 410 in processing the applicationsprovided by the service center. For example, network access servers 410may include a Caller ID (CID) functionality for retrieving caller IDinformation from voice network 104, a click to dial (CTD) functionalityfor instructing an intelligent peripheral (IP) in the voice network toplace a call via an SSP, and/or a real time call management (RTCM)functionality for interfacing with an ISCP of the voice network.

Network Access plane 506 may also include one or more back end server(s)420. These back end server(s) 420 may include hardware and/or softwarefor interfacing service center 106 and voice network 104. Back endserver(s) 420 may be connected to service center 106 by a network, by adirect connection, or in any other suitable manner. Further, back endserver(s) 420 may connect to one or more devices in voice network 104 bya network, a direct connection, or in any other suitable manner.

Back end server(s) 420 may include, for example, a server providing avoice mail retrieval and notification function. For example, this voicemail retrieval and notification function may communicate with a voicemail storage system on IP 320 to receive signals when a voice mailmessage is stored in a user's voice mail box, send appropriate codes toretrieve the voice mail message, retrieve the voice mail message,convert the voice mail message to a digital file, and send it to digitalcompanion servers 406.

Additionally, back end server(s) 420 may include, for example, adirectory assistance server. This directory assistance server may, forexample, interface service center 106 with a Reverse DirectoryAssistance Gateway (RDA Gateway) of voice network 104. A RDA Gateway isa device for issuing requests to a Data Operations Center (DOC) of voicenetwork 104 for name and/or address information associated with a phonenumber and receiving the name and/or phone number in response to thisrequest.

In another example, back end server(s) 420 may include a wirelessinternet gateway that is used for interfacing with a mobile switchingcenter (MSC) of a wireless voice network. As with the above-describedback end server(s) 420, this wireless internet gateway may be used forconverting requests and information between the formats used by servicecenter 106 and those used by the wireless voice network.

In yet another example, back end server(s) 420 may include a conferenceblasting server for instructing a conference bridge in the voice network106 to dial out via an SSP to the participants of a voice conference.Alternatively, back end server(s) may include, for example, a server forinstructing an IP of the voice network to place a call between twoparties by dialing out to each of the parties. The back end server(s)may also include the capability to instruct the bridge or IP device tocall an audio digitizing device that can listen to the conference,convert the audio signals to digital format, and forward the digitizedsignals to a user device via, for example, an audio streaming server.The audio streaming server may, for example, allow a user to connect toit via, for example, the Internet. Additionally, the audio streamingdevice may buffer or record the signals to permit the user to pause,rewind, and/or fast-forward thru the conference.

In yet another example, back end server(s) 420 may include a SingleNumber Short Message Service (SN SMS) server for interfacing servicecenter 106 with a SMS gateway in the voice network 104. This may be usedfor example to direct SMS messages addressed to the number of a user'shome phone 114 to an SMS-capable device of the user's choosing such asphone 116.

Voice network plane 508 includes the hardware and software included invoice network 104, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. Forexample, voice network plane 508 may include ISCP SPACE 314, ISCP 302,intelligent peripherals 320, and SSP 310. Additionally, voice networkplane 508 may also include the hardware and software included in awireless carrier's network, such as, for example, the mobile switchingcenter, etc.

In accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles of thepresent invention, a user terminal, such as terminal 112_A, may supporttwo different connections simultaneously. For example, user terminal112_A may support both voice and data simultaneously, or alternatively,may support two data connections simultaneous.

In particular, user terminal 112_A may have the capacity to transmit andreceive data at the same time using two connections. User terminal 112_Amay be a processor communication device, for example, that may receivedata via a HTTP connection over a communications channel and voice via astandard telephone connection. A communications channel may include, forexample, a standard twisted pair wire, a cell phone receivingcommunications over a wireless network channel, or a hardwired orwireless Internet connection, for example. Alternatively, user terminal112_A may receive data via two HUTP connections simultaneously.

In addition, user terminal 112_A may have the ability to store settingsin a memory and allow the software executing on the device to access thesettings and make any change to the settings. For example, the status ofthe ringer may be changed, the actual ring tone may be changed, and thedate and time displayed on the device may be changed. User terminal112_A may also include various sensors (not shown) for generating data,such as a lens for providing a digital camera, a sensor for determiningtemperature, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) capability, forexample. Data obtained from these sensors may be saved in memory of userterminal 112_A and can be accessed by software executing on userterminal 112_A. Further, user terminal 112_A may transmit any dataobtained by sensors or received by the user terminal 112_A via the HTTPconnection over a communications channel. In addition, when userterminal 112_A has been set to a private setting, quiet setting, or isturned off, incoming data may instead be sent to digital companionserver 406, for example.

A calling party may place a call to a user at user terminal 112_A. Uponreceipt of the call, software residing on user terminal 112_A in amemory 113 executes on a processor 115 to receive a call notification,and allow the call to complete. Once the call is completed to userterminal 112_A, the software residing in memory 113 establishescommunication via an existing HTTP connection from user terminal 112_Ato digital companion server 406. Alternatively, if an HTTP connection isnot in existence, the software causes processor 115 on user terminal112_A to create an HTTP connection.

After establishing the connection between the user terminal 112_A,software residing on user terminal 112_A generates a call notification.Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an exemplary diagram of the type ofinformation included in a call notification sent by user terminal 112_A.

FIG. 6 is a caller ID notification data structure, in accordance withmethods and apparatus consistent with the principles of the presentinvention. A caller ID notification data structure table 600 illustratesthe type of information available to a user when a caller ID isreceived. Each line of caller ID notification data structure table 600represents a caller ID notification event. Each caller ID notificationevent includes a time 620, a date 622, and caller ID 624, which may be acalling party's name or phone number, or both. Additionally, audio file626 may optionally include a voice message. The caller ID is informationstored on the source of a call.

The caller ID information may be passed to application service level 504(FIG. 5), and more particularly, to digital companion server 406. Oncereceived by notification server 520, the caller ID information is storedby database function 522. Database function 522 provides for the storageof information used by the various applications executed by digitalcompanion server 406.

As indicated in FIG. 5, application server function 528 encompasses thegeneral functions performed by the communication portal servers 408. Forexample, these functions may include interfacing with the voice networkto retrieve and/or modify user profile information, and creating andediting an address book for the user. Additionally, application serverfunction 528 may include the functionality of sending and/or receivinginformation to/from external servers and/or devices.

To select a preferred device for receiving notifications, the user may,for example, communicate with digital companion server 406 by executingdigital companion client software on terminal 112_B. For example, theuser may access a web page resident in digital companion server 406 toenter the telephone number or other identifying indicator specifying thepreferred device. Alternatively, the user may use phone 114 to place acall to a service number at voice portal 412 whereby the user mayinteract with automated voice response menus or may speak with a userservice representative to specify a preferred device. In yet anotheralternative, user 110 may interact with digital companion clientsoftware on terminal 112_A to transmit a phone number of the preferreddevice to digital companion server 406. The identity of the devicespecified by the user as the preferred device is stored in database 522.

After initialing specifying a preferred device, the user maysubsequently change the preferred to device to a different device byrepeating the aforementioned process. Additionally, the user may specifya particular preferred device for receiving notifications based on thetime of day or week. As such, the user may set in advance time periodsduring which different devices are specified as preferred devices toreceive notifications. As is apparent to one of skill in the art, avariety of methods and systems may be implemented to facilitate theuser's selection of a preferred device in keeping with the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Application server function 516 may determine the preferred device, asspecified by the user, by querying database function 522. The user mayhave previously selected a phone, such as phone 114, user terminal112_A, or user terminal 112_B as a preferred device. For example, phone114 may be a landline or wireless phone, user terminal 112_A may beclient software, for example, and user terminal 112_B may include a webbrowser for web-based viewing of alerts.

Application server function 516 may also determine whether the user iscurrently logged into a digital companion client or currently has apreferred device logged on application service/business logic plane 504.If it is determined that no such log-ons currently exist, then any callnotifications stored in database function 522 are not sent until suchtime as the user next logs on or turns on a device 112_A, 112_B, or 114making a data or voice connection with application service/businesslogic plane 504. For example, when a device becomes active, database 522may be queried by application server function 516 for notifications thathave not been sent and then may send the saved notifications.

Client proxy function 512 provides the capability to send informationfrom digital companion server 406 to user terminal 112. For example,after the user's preferred device is determined, client proxy function512, at the direction of application server function 516, sends anincoming call notification to the user's preferred device. For example,if the user has previously selected phone 114 as a preferred device,then client proxy function 512 sends the notification to voice portal412. Voice portal 412 may convert the call notification into a voicemessage using, for example, voice recognition 416 at the direction ofapplication server 414, which then sends the incoming call notificationto phone 114.

Alternatively, if the user's preferred device is user terminal 112_A,then client proxy function 512 sends the notification to user terminal112_A. As another exemplary alternative, if the user's preferred deviceis user terminal 112_B, client proxy function 512 sends the notificationto communications portal 408, which includes web server 526. Applicationserver 528 may process the notification and sent it to user terminal112_B.

The incoming call notification sent to the user's preferred device mayconsist of a text message, for example, indicating an incoming call. Themessage may indicate the name and phone number of the calling party. Forexample, if the notification is sent to user terminal 112_A, the clientsoftware therein may display the notification. If the notification issent to user terminal 112_B, the notification may be displayed as partof an HTML page loaded on a web browser. Additionally, if the preferreddevice is phone 114, phone 114 may simply ring, display the caller IDinformation, or play back an audio file of the caller ID information,including the name and phone number of the calling party on a displayscreen.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, a user terminal, such as terminal 112_A, maysupport two different connections simultaneously. For example, userterminal 112_A may support both voice and data simultaneously, oralternatively, may support two data connections simultaneous.

A calling party may leave a voice mail message for user 110. The voicemail message may be stored on a voice mail server residing, for example,on back end servers 420 or IP 320. The voice mail server may route thevoice mail message to digital companion server 406, which in turn mayroute the voice mail message to user terminal 112_A.

Upon receipt of the voice mail message, software residing on userterminal 112_A in memory 113 may store the voice mail message for laterplayback by the user. Alternatively, digital companion server 406 maysend a notification of the voice mail message to user terminal 112_A.The voice mail message is then stored for later retrieval of the voicemail message and may reside remotely on a voice mail notification andstorage server (not shown) on back end servers 420.

Similar to processing of a call, described above, a voice mailnotification processed by client software residing in memory 113 on userterminal 112_A, which connects via a HTTP connection to digitalcompanion server 406. Alternatively, if the HTTP connection is notavailable, the client software requests that the software platform onuser terminal 112_A create the HTTP connection.

After establishing the HTTP connection between the user terminal 112_A,the client software residing on user terminal 112_A generates a voicemail data record that is transmitted to notification server 520. Anexemplary diagram of the type of information contained in the voice maildata record is shown in FIG. 6. Additionally, audio file 626 may storethe voice mail message of the calling party.

The voice mail data record received by the notification server function520 is then stored by database function 522. Application server function516 may determine the user's preferred device as stored in database 522and determine whether user 110 is logged onto a voice network or datanetwork.

Client proxy function 512 may then send a voice mail notification to theuser's preferred device. The voice mail notification may consist of atext message, for example, indicating a new voice message. The messagemay include the name and phone number of the calling party. Additionallyuser terminal 112 may provide user 110 with the option of selecting afunction to playback the voice mail audio file 626.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, user terminal 112_A may support two differentconnections simultaneously. For example, user terminal 112_A may supportboth voice and data simultaneously, or alternatively, may support twodata connections simultaneous.

In the present embodiment, a calling party may send user terminal 112_Aa SMS message. Upon receipt of the SMS message by user terminal 112_A,client software residing on user terminal 112_A may store the SMSmessage or display it to the user.

Client software residing on user terminal 112_A connects via a HTTPconnection provided by user terminal 112_A to digital companion server406. Alternatively, if the HTTP connection is not available, thesoftware requests that the software platform on user terminal 112_Acreates the HTTP connection.

After establishing the connection between the user terminal 112_A,software residing on user terminal 112_A generates a messagenotification of the SMS message. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary diagram ofthe type of information generated by the software residing on userterminal 112_A for an SMS message.

User terminal 112_A may send the SMS message and message notification tonotification server function 520 of digital companion server 406.Application server function 516 of digital companion server 406 may thendetermine a preferred device selected by the user.

The information in data structure 600 received by notification serverfunction 520 is stored by database function 522. Application serverfunction 516 may determine the user's preferred device and determinewhether the user is logged onto the network. The user may havepreviously selected one of phone 114, user terminal 112_A, or userterminal 112_B as a preferred device. For example, phone 114 may be alandline or wireless phone, user terminal 112_A may be client software,for example, and user terminal 112_B may include a web browser forweb-based viewing of alerts.

Once the user's preferred device is determined, client proxy function512 may send a SMS message notification to the user's preferred device.The SMS message notification may consist of a text message, for example,indicating a new voice message. The message may include the name andphone number of the calling party and may optionally allow the user toview the SMS message.

In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the presentinvention, call notifications, voice mail notifications, and SMS messagenotifications may be stored by database 522, for example, for laterretrieval if the user's preferred device is unavailable. For example, ifthe user is not logged into a desktop client or does not have thepreferred device logged onto the network, digital companion server 406stores the notifications in database function 522.

When the user next logs into the desktop client or the user's preferreddevice logs onto the network, digital companion server 406 may querydatabase 522 to determine if any notifications have been sent for theuser. If notifications are waiting for delivery, then they may beretrieved from database 522 and sent for display on the user's preferreddevice. Accordingly, the user receives any notifications previously sentwhile the user was away on a desktop client once the user logs into thesystem.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing call, voicemail, and SMS message notifications to a user's preferred deviceconsistent with the present invention.

A incoming call, voice mail message, SMS message, or other phone eventis received by user terminal 112_A, which is equipped as asoftware-enabled device (step 710). Software on user terminal 112_Aconnects to digital companion server 406 and sends a notification of theevent to notification server 520 (step 720). Digital companion server406 may initiate an application server function 516 to determine theuser associated with the user terminal (step 730). Application serverfunction 516 may determine the user's preferred device (step 740).Application server function 516 next determines if the user's device isavailable (step 750).

If the user's preferred device is available, application server function516 may then route the notification to the user's preferred device viaclient proxy 512, which connects to the network and sends thenotification (step 770). If the user's preferred device is notavailable, the notification is not sent until the user logs onto thenetwork or the preferred device becomes available (step 760).

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a notification to apreferred communication device of a plurality of communication devicesassociated with a user, where each of the communication devices can bedesignated as the preferred communication device, the method comprising:receiving, at a server, a notification from one of the communicationdevices indicating that incoming data has been received at the onecommunication device, where the incoming data includes an incoming call,a voice mail, or a short message service (SMS) message; and transmittingthe received notification to the preferred communication device, wheretransmitting the received notification includes: transmitting a firsttext message to the preferred communication device when the incomingdata includes the incoming call, transmitting a second text message tothe preferred communication device when the incoming data includes thevoice mail, the second text message providing a function to play backthe voice mail and transmitting a third text message to the preferredcommunication device when the incoming data includes the SMS message,the third text message providing an ability to view the SMS message. 2.The method of claim 1, where transmitting the notification to thepreferred communication device comprises storing the notification in adatabase if the preferred communication device cannot receive thenotification.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selectingthe preferred communication device from among the plurality ofcommunication devices.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, at the server, a selection, made by the user, of a timeperiod during which notifications are to be transmitted to the preferredcommunication device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, at the server, a selection, made by the user, of one or morecalling parties from which notifications are to be transmitted to thepreferred communication device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein wherereceiving the selection is based on a calendar function for providingdate specific notifications.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, at the server, a selection, made by the user, ofthe preferred communication device for receiving notifications based onthe time of day or a calling party.
 8. An apparatus for providing anotification to a preferred communication device of a plurality ofcommunication devices which may be used by a user to initiate andreceive communications, the apparatus comprising: a server to: receive anotification from one of the communication devices indicating thatincoming data has been received at the one communication device, wherethe incoming data includes an incoming call, a voice mail, or a shortmessage service (SMS) message; and transmit the notification to thepreferred communication device, the notification including anidentification of the type of the incoming data, where, whentransmitting the notification, the server is further to: transmit afirst text message to the preferred communication device when theincoming data includes the incoming call; transmit a second text messageto the preferred communication device when the incoming data includesthe voice mail, the second text message providing a function to playback the voice mail, and transmit a third text message to the preferredcommunication device when the incoming data includes the SMS message,the third text message providing an ability to view the SMS message. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a database to selectcalling parties from which notifications are to transmitted to thepreferred communication device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, where thedatabase indicates times during which notifications are to betransmitted to the preferred communication device.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, where the server is further to: determine if the preferredcommunication device is available; and transmit the notification whenthe preferred communication device is available.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9, where the database indicates includes information aboutservices to which the user subscribes.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8,where the server is further to: receive a selection, made by the user,of the preferred communication device for receiving notifications basedon the time of day or a calling party.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8,where the database is further to: store the notification when thepreferred communication device is unavailable.